Chapter 229: Elder Xu of Xuanxi Valley

Qin Ming merely delivered the Soul-Returning Pill; how Lei Yuanzong used it was none of his concern.

Then Mei the Shopkeeper handed Qin Ming a package, smiling broadly as he flattered, "Master Qin, you truly are a rare dual-art master in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world—so swiftly did you succeed in refining the Soul-Returning Pill."

"Truly beyond this old man's expectations."

"According to the original agreement between Master Qin and our Young Master Wei, this is what was promised to you."

"Please count it!"

Qin Ming took the package, opened it, and glanced inside—inside were all the rare spiritual materials he needed, plus five high-grade spirit stones radiating astonishing wood-element spiritual energy, like pearls in the night, strikingly conspicuous.

"Hmm, correct!"

Satisfied, Qin Ming put away the items and prepared to take his leave.

"Since I've delivered the elixir, Qin Mou will take his leave."

Mei the Shopkeeper hurried to detain him: "Master Qin, since you've come, let this old man fulfill his duty as host?"

"Qin Mou still has matters to attend to—next time, for sure."

…

After leaving Linglong Pavilion, Qin Ming walked along the street to Dan Ding Pavilion.

"The Soul-Returning Pill has been delivered."

"It won't be long before Lei Yuanzong launches troops toward Thousand Leaf Island, right?"

"Sigh, I hope they eradicate that demonic vine—I've contributed my share."

Along the way, Qin Ming pondered silently.

Half a stick of incense later.

Qin Ming arrived before Dan Ding Pavilion and stepped inside.

Xu Jing was verifying ledgers at the front desk; when she saw Qin Ming, she froze in surprise, then rushed forward with radiant delight.

"Master Qin! You've come!"

"The spiritual materials for refining the Jade Xuan Pill have been transported from Xuanxi Valley."

"Do you know who delivered them to Canghai Immortal City?"

She smiled mischievously, teasingly withholding the answer.

Qin Ming smiled faintly: "Qin Mou truly doesn't know."

"Hehe! It's my grandfather."

"He's long admired your name and wanted to deliver these materials himself, just to speak with you, hehe."

Xu Jing said, thrilled.

"Grandfather is upstairs—Master Qin, please follow me."

Qin Ming nodded and followed her upstairs.

Inside a modestly decorated private room.

An elderly man in a gray robe, white-haired and spirited, sat sipping tea.

But when Qin Ming saw him, his pupils shrank sharply.

'False Core Elder!!'

Xu Jing, seeing the elder, happily introduced him: "Great-grandfather, the Master Qin you specifically wanted to meet has arrived."

"Greetings, Elder Xu!" Qin Ming bowed to Elder Xu in the room.

He hadn't expected Xu Jing's grandfather to be a False Core cultivator—it truly startled him.

Yet, upon reflection, it made sense.

As an inner sect Elder of Liang Kingdom's foremost sect, False Core cultivation was hardly unusual.

"Oh? Hahaha!"

"So it's young Master Qin?"

"I only arrived yesterday."

"Young Master Qin, don't be formal—we're both spirit cultivators; in spirit cultivation, I'm far behind you!"

Elder Xu rose warmly to invite Qin Ming to sit.

He showed no arrogance of a high-level cultivator.

"Great-grandfather, you two chat—I'll have the kitchen prepare some food."

After introducing them, Xu Jing went downstairs to attend to things. Qin Ming sat naturally across from Elder Xu and began conversing.

He was now one step closer to uncovering the location of the Golden Core formula.

Elder Xu personally brewed a pot of spirit tea, then handed Qin Ming a cup, smiling: "This tea I grew myself—taste and tell me how it is?"

"Hehe, you already served me this last time I came."

"Elder Xu's Cold Crystal Tea has a unique flavor—it's top-tier spirit tea," Qin Ming sipped and complimented appropriately.

"Hahaha! Really? I didn't think that girl would be so generous with it," Elder Xu laughed freely.

Qin Ming's praise as a Second-Rank High-grade Spirit Cultivator struck straight to his heart.

With spirit cultivation as a topic, their conversation instantly drew closer.

Elder Xu had long been eager to discuss spirit cultivation with Qin Ming.

Though his own cultivation had reached False Core, his spirit cultivation skill had long been stuck at Second-Rank Mid-grade—a lifelong regret.

Finding a spirit cultivation master of Qin Ming's extraordinary talent might help him break through his bottleneck.

Afterwards,

Elder Xu of Xuanxi Valley became like an eager student, relentlessly asking Qin Ming about countless spirit cultivation problems he'd encountered.

Qin Ming patiently answered each one without complaint.

He possessed Third-Rank spirit cultivation inheritance; not only could he handle Elder Xu, but even if a Third-Rank spirit cultivator sat across from him now, he could respond effortlessly.

Gradually,

After a full day of exchange,

Elder Xu was stunned to discover that this plain-looking young cultivator before him held an unparalleled understanding of spirit cultivation—among all the spirit masters he'd ever met, Qin Ming was unquestionably among the very best.

During this time,

Xu Jing brought them exquisite meals.

Seeing how engrossed they were in conversation, she secretly covered her mouth and smiled.

Two days later,

Qin Ming's mouth had gone dry several times, finally satisfying Elder Xu's thirst for knowledge.

Elder Xu had gained immensely from this exchange, radiating palpable excitement.

Qin Ming's explanations had resolved many long-standing problems, bringing him sudden clarity.

He believed that after returning home, he might finally break through his Second-Rank High-grade spirit cultivator barrier.

Finally,

Elder Xu took a pouch of spiritual materials from his storage bag and placed it before Qin Ming: "Young Master Qin, here are the spiritual materials you need to refine the Jade Xuan Pill."

"Unfortunately, we're still missing the main ingredient—Seven-Leaf Ming Zhi—but I'll keep an eye out for it."

"Thank you, Elder Xu," Qin Ming accepted the materials—he already had the Seven-Leaf Ming Zhi from Lei Yuanzong and could begin refining the pill upon returning.

Elder Xu frowned: "Ah—what are you saying, Young Master Qin? After you spent two full days patiently answering this old man's endless questions?"

"What are these materials? Consider them a small token of my appreciation."

"Elder Xu, that won't do—each matter must be settled on its own terms," Qin Ming said.

Elder Xu waved his hand, insisting Qin Ming accept them; reluctantly, Qin Ming thanked him again.

Then Elder Xu sighed: "Young Master Qin is not only a Second-Rank High-grade spirit cultivator, but your alchemical skill is also peerless."

"Had I not heard from that girl that you have no interest joining a sect, I would have invited you again—you're more than qualified to become an inner sect Elder at Xuanxi Valley's Spirit Garden or Alchemy & Artifact Peak."

"What a pity…"

"By the way, Young Master Qin—do you have confidence in refining the Jade Xuan Pill?"

The Jade Xuan Pill, capable of boosting the cultivation base of Foundation Establishment late-stage or even Foundation Establishment peak cultivators, was unimaginably rare.

Yet finally, the topic turned to pills—Qin Ming smiled faintly: "I have some confidence."

Hearing this, Elder Xu could no longer sit still.

"Then Master Qin's alchemical skill must already be nearing the threshold of a Third-Rank Pill Master?"

"Hehe, I'm still some way from being a Third-Rank Pill Master."

"Mainly because I don't possess any Third-Rank pill formulas."

(End of Chapter)